Tuesday, December 19, 2006

And now - Deep Background by Philip Giraldi

In 2001-02 the FBI, acting on a request from the IRS, investigated what appeared to be a massive insurance fraud carried out by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The IRS became suspicious after it noted a number of deaths of elderly individuals who had large insurance policies naming AIPAC as their beneficiary. The policies were mostly issued by two companies, Metlife of Connecticut and a second company in Atlanta. Preliminary investigation suggested that AIPAC was approaching elderly supporters and securing their participation in obtaining high-dollar insurance policies. The companies were chosen because of AIPAC's ability to influence the policy-issuance process through the co-operation of actuaries and senior-level company officials who were also believed to be AIPAC supporters. These officials were willing to approve the coverage even though no company would normally issue a policy to an 80-year old or to someone in poor health. The investigation eventually concluded without producing any indictment, though it is unclear whether that happened because the evidence was inconclusive or because of the Justice Department's usual unwillingness to pursue anything having to do with the Israel lobby.

Philip Giraldi, a former CIA Officer, is a partner in Cannistraro Associates